Upcoming Virtual Worship Services
Sunday, May 24
Worship service at 10:00 AM
with Children's Worship at 9:30 AM

Sunday, May 31
Flower Communion - as part of Flower Communion, we'd like you to bring a flower, color in the one provided here ,
or draw your own!
Worship service at 10:00 AM
with Children's Worship at 9:30 AM
Meet meet us online (live-captioning also available there), or if you do not have access to the internet, call 646-876-9923,
and use meeting ID #5852719070
Gratitudes, Joys and Sorrows
School continues through distance learning and UU/Schools Partnership is working to close a piece of the equity gap. We reached out to teachers and asked them, "What do your students need?" Some requested workbooks so that students without technology could still do learning. Others requested prizes for those who complete their work or activity kits so that kids have something to do off-screen. A music teacher is sending postcards to connect with each student. A kindergarten teacher got caterpillars that the students will be able to see change on each zoom chat. So far, we have granted 21 requests for a total of $3,430 and we are so grateful to be able to support their great work. Many city kids also do not have art supplies to complete assignments or just to entertain themselves. We are providing 96 art kits to families from School 15. Over at School 22 we are also spending another $1000 to provide art supplies to 20 families with 3 or more students in the family. Again we looked to the art teachers to set the direction. Here is just one thank you from a teacher : “ I am humbled to be reimbursed for this. Thank you so much for your support, and thank you to all of the UU22 partners who go above and beyond for our students and teachers. I am continuously astounded by the dedication of the volunteers and committee. I hope you are doing well, and that you are staying safe and healthy! Thank you again.” 
Care for our community is our first priority right now. If you are ill, have been hospitalized, have decided or are ordered to self-quarantine and need food or other supplies, or are simply worried about how you will respond to these needs, please reach out to Rev. Bob and our pastoral care team at Caring@RochesterUnitarian.org or 585-270-0851 .
This Week's News and Reminders
Are you between the ages of 18 and 35 and looking for spiritual connection with your peers? The UU Young Adult Group is meeting over Zoom on Friday, May 22 at 6:30pm . If you are interested, please email Enri or Jenna .
Noontime Connections Schedule Change: Beginning next week, we will shift our noontime connections to 3 days a week - Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays . Elder Tree will continue each Saturday (please contact Libby Moore if you are interested in sharing a story). The other 2 weekday meetings will be hosted by lay leaders and staff on a rotating basis. This new schedule starts Tuesday, May 26 . Connect via Zoom . You can also join by calling 646-876-9923 (Meeting # 5852719070).
Connect and reach out to one another! The church’s new database management system, Simple Church , allows for members to look up basic contact information of other members. This is a safe and easy way to help keep those connections and check-ins going with each other. 

New to Simple Church? Click here . Your User Name is your name with a period separating your first and last name, i.e.: First.Last (for example, Jane.Doe) Then click “Forgot Password” and a password will be sent to the email we have on file for you, allowing you to login. This should enable you to sign on regularly, check your profile & contact information and pledge onrecord. You can even upload a photo of yourself so others can put a name with a face! :)
A closeup of a paper on a clipboard that says budget in very large letters. The paper has smaller text with line items relating to budgeting and money. On top of the clipboard is a pen and a pair of glasses. Above it is a partially seen black calculator.
Budget Forums Being Held Next Week: Please join Rev. Shari Halliday-Quan and Treasurer, Robert Lyubomirsky on Tuesday, May 26 at 5:30 PM or Wednesday, Wednesday, May 27 at 12:00 PM (same presentation being offered two times) to discuss the 2020-21 Church Annual Budget proposal. The session will be held using this zoom address .
You are invited to attend the Virtual Ordination of Margalie Belizaire! The ordination will be held on Saturday, May 30 at 3:00pm . Click here to attend.
The Board of Trustees approved holding our June 7 Annual Meeting online (per our Bylaws Article Four Congregational Meetings, Section 4.8.F.) in order to promote the health and well-being of our members.  The meeting will be held online, using Zoom, the same tool we use for our Sunday worship. Our Moderator, Barbara de Leeuw,  Board leadership and Rev. Shari are working through the details of how that will be done.  You will have an opportunity to meet the candidates for Board, President, Treasurer, Moderator and Leadership Nominating Committee after the service on  Sunday May 17 ,  as well as to attend a budget forum. Please watch for information on the budget and elections in the newsletter and on the website. Please direct any questions you may have to our President Tim Farnum . Click here for the Meeting Agenda.
Join the June 19 virtual Juneteenth 5K Run/Walk! “Juneteenth” is a celebration of June 19, 1865, the day that 250 years of slavery finally ended in America. This year’s race comes at a time when we are reminded, once again, that justice in America can still depend upon the color of one’s skin and that just about any action, including running, can be fatal to a Black American. It will take all of us to create a more just and equitable society. A starting place is to register to run by clicking this link . Proceeds will support construction of the Rochester Civil Rights Heritage Site at Baden Park. To learn more about the heritage site, click this link . This year’s race is “virtual”: You may walk or run the 5K from home or from anywhere. Your race can be done in one day or done over several days. There’s a free app you can use to track your race. Just complete your run/walk before midnight June 19th and report your results at the website where you registered. Questions? Contact Tom Perry . 
The Unitarian Universalist Association invites you to attend the annual General Assembly to be held June 24 to 28! Virtual attendees will be able to watch and participate in live meetings and workshops. Find more information here . Attendance costs $150. Email Rev. Shari if you wish to be a delegate or require financial assistance.
Calls to Action
It’s never too late to get started in the UU EcoChallenge 2020!  Even by participating for one week, you can still make an impact! This week’s theme is “Women and Girls”, for the simple reason that the effects of Climate Change are not Gender-Neutral. Join us this week as we learn more about Global Warming, Gender Inequality and what we can do to effect change!  Our EcoChallenge runs through May 31 , and is built to inspire us towards Climate Action by  educating  us on issues surrounding climate change, spreading  awareness  of what we can do to help, and  empowering  us to do it! Join the action at  here. You can reach out to Harley with comments or questions. It’s going to take all of us together to change the world!
Our Immigration Ministry is partnering with Refugees Helping Refugees in Rochester to collect and deliver hygiene supplies and masks to refugee families who have a family member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Items needed: soap, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, wipes, disinfecting cleaners, laundry detergent, dish-washing liquid, $25 Amazon gift cards, and cards of encouragement. Please drop off items during these hours, using the one-way driveway into our main church parking lot, 220 Winton Road South, Rochester 14610: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Tuesday to Friday, May 26-29 . Please note this collection will take place entirely outdoors (rain or shine) with social distance safety measures in place. Our church building remains closed to the public. Questions? Email the Immigration Ministry . For Amazon gift cards, please use this link - a percentage of the purchase will be donated back to the church as well.
From the Criminal Justice Ministry: Members of the CJM are used to showing up and attending rallies, City Council, meetings, and protests. As we shelter at home, we find ourselves online rather than out and about. This has given us time to read and reflect. Join us in doing the same! Here is a "stay at home” action from the Marshall Project that underscores why we are involved with HALTSolitaryConfinement Campaign . Interested in information about our Criminal Justice Ministry? Call Roberta Buckle (585-704-8385) or Penny Townsend-Quill (585-503-5301).
RAIHN update: After pausing its temporary shelter program in mid-March due to the COVID-19 crisis, Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (RAIHN) this week launched a six-month temporary hotel housing program, using a federal grant. The location: Hotel on Monroe, 2323 Monroe Ave. in Brighton (fewer than 2 miles from our church) and congregation volunteers will drop off meals (outside, following safety protocols). Our next meal rotation is July 6 to 12 ; we will reach out to volunteers with more details in June. Email RAIHN to join the volunteer list.
In Case You Missed It
Missed a recent worship service? Check out First Unitarian’s YouTube Channel (and while you’re there, please click on subscribe!), where you will find recordings of recent Children’s Worship and regular Sunday Worship services. We will upload new videos weekly.